Nature of Greece

You fly to Thessaloniki during the day. We will meet you at the airport and drive you to your centrally located hotel. If you arrive early, grab the chance and take a stroll to discover the Greek way of life! Enjoy two nights in a modern hotel in Thessaloniki, within walking distance to the seafront.

On this day, we explore Greece’s second-largest city, which is a modern port metropolis and a city that has remained young at heart at the same time. Outstanding views from the elevated citadel and a walk back down to the center along the old city walls will make you fall in love with the city. We will visit the Rotunda built during Roman times and from there we will head to an atmospheric ceremony in the basilica of Saint Demetrios (UNESCO World Heritage Site). After a visit to the Archaeological Museum, we will admire the White Tower. Tips for the free afternoon and evening: harbor promenade, frappé in a street café, local fish specialties.

We will spend our morning visiting some of the oldest mosaic floors in Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. After that, we will visit Veria, a beautiful historical town. Veria was the third most important Byzantine city from the 11th to the 14th century. We will go sightseeing in the city and visit the “Tribune of Apostle Paul”. We will have lunch at Elias Square, known as “the balcony of Veria”. After lunch, we will visit Aiges, the place where Alexander the Great started his journey to conquer faraway lands. Aiges was the first capital of the Macedonian kingdom. We will visit the golden tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander. We will spend the night at a charming boutique hotel.

After breakfast, we will leave Vergina and travel toward Metsovo. If you like mountains, colors, folklore, and great food, then you are without a doubt in the perfect place. In addition to these, Metsovo is also known for its great traditions and architecture. We will visit the Averoff Art Gallery, a museum of modern Greek art with a permanent exhibition of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and engravings by the foremost Greek artists of the 19th and 20th century. Among the many things that we can find in Metsovo, the vineyards are particularly noteworthy. Local people managed to grow grapes of rare quality. Therefore, a visit to one of the vineyards is not to be missed. We will have lunch and then drive to the archeological site of Dodoni. Dodoni is located in the midst of a peaceful valley overlooked by Mt. Tomaros. We can visit the ruins of the imposing theater and sanctuary. The theater of Dononi is the second largest after Delphi.
In the evening, we will get back to our hotel in Ioannina.

We will spend our day in Ioannina.
The city of Ioannina spreads out around the beautiful Pamvotida lake.
We will start by strolling through the historical part of the city: the citadel, the fort’s walls, and picturesque alleys; Minarets and oriental elements are reminiscent of the Ottoman past. We will then cross the Pamvotida lake by boat and head to the island of Nissos. We will visit the Byzantine monastery churches and treat ourselves to a grilled trout, a regional specialty, in a taverna.

On our way to Trikala, we will make an important stop in Meteora.
Meteora is a rock formation that hosts a large number of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries, second in terms of importance only after Mount Athos.
As if trying to reach for the sky, the monasteries in Meteora balance on the steep cliffs. Unworldly monks built them a long time ago. In two of these monasteries, we will let ourselves be fascinated by the dazzling frescoes and the atmosphere of Orthodox religiosity. Afterward, we will go to a fine winery for a tasting and then we will continue our way to Trikala. At a first glance, Trikala may not seem like a wonderful Greek city as we have seen so far. But once we arrive at the center and see the Lithaios river passing through the city during the year, full of big trout fish, it will be obvious how wonderful the city actually is. No need to trouble ourselves and go fishing though. We will probably have some of the best food in this city. If we have time, we can also visit the Vassilis Tsitsanis Museum.

The whole area is full of atmospheric and traditional villages where we can find a variety of nice accommodations and the best taverns. We will stop at Elati village, which is the largest one in this area. The amazing landscapes and appetizing traditional cuisine, snow in the winter, and fresh air in the summer make it a wonderful resort for those who love outdoor activities! We will then continue on to Pertouli, another fascinating village built in an amphitheater shape among thick woods and green fields. If you are a ski lover, Pertouli has one of the best ski resorts that makes you feel as if you are skiing in the Alps, while enjoying the area’s very traditional rich culture and delightful food.

Today, we will visit “Switzerland” in the heart of Greece. The Plastiras Lake with its heavenly landscapes can amaze any viewer and make them fall in love with it at first sight! There are plenty of beautiful and hospitable villages near the lake. We can go on a walk or choose an activity at the lake, depending on the weather.

After breakfast, we will drive to Litochoro. First, we will visit Dion, the sacred site of ancient Macedonia. This open-air archeological site attracts not only history lovers but also nature lovers. The Archeological Park of Dion is the most important site at Mount Olympus. The site consists of the remains of Roman and Greek ancient theaters and it is also home to several sanctuaries.
We will stay in Litochoro overnight. In one sense Litochoro means the city of gods; no wonder as it is the gateway to Mount Olympus, which we are going to visit the following day.

On this day we will hike the legendary Mount Olympus.
Mt. Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and home to the 12 Olympian gods of ancient Greece, as well as the site of the throne of Zeus.
Hiking Mt. Olympus contains not only fascinating beauty but is also a link to ancient Greece. The hike will be very enjoyable but may become challenging at some point; we should only make sure to not provoke the wrath of the gods!
We’ll spend the night in Litochoro.

We enjoy our late breakfast and then drive to Thessaloniki airport to take our flight back home. See you again Greece!